November 4, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Montana Angus Breeders Donate Heifer to Benefit Stockgrowers

Idland Cattle CompanyA new tradition begins at the 2015 Montana Stockgrowers Annual Convention with the generous donation of a 2015 purebred Angus foundation heifer by the Stars of Montana group. The Angus heifer (Reg. 18229568) will be auctioned during the Grand Finale Banquet, Saturday, December 5 in Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark. All proceeds go to support MSGA programs.

The Stars of Montana network of Angus breeders were founded in 2011 and host a joint female production sale the second Saturday in December at the Midland Bull Test Station in Columbus, Montana. This year’s event is slated for December 12, 2015.

Idland Cattle Company Angus Heifer DonationIdland Cattle Co. of Circle are the donors of this year’s heifer. Glen, Connie and Reece Idland have assembled one of the great cowherds in eastern Montana, backed by truly elite cow families. This program has topped several NILE and National Western Foundation Female Sales with their production and performance oriented genetics. They are Montana’s home to RB Tour of Duty 177, sire of the 2015 donation.

The heifer, ICC Blacklass 5208 (Reg. 18229568) has cutting edge performance EPDs from one of the disciplined seedstock herds in Montana. Support the future of the beef industry in Montana and attend the auction to purchase the 2015 Stars of Montana heifer.

To view all the highlights from this year’s Annual Convention, click here. RSVP on the Facebook event so you do not miss a thing. If you are following along on social media, share your experience (and anticipation!) with the hashtag #MSGA15 on Twitter and Instagram. View the tags from all networks on Tagboard.

October 28, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Montana Stockgrowers to Host 131st Annual Convention in Billings – December 3-5

2015 Annual Convention

Click image above for more event details!

On December 3-5. Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) will celebrate 131 years of serving the state’s ranchers with their Annual Convention & Trade Show. This year’s meetings move to Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark in Billings with a larger trade show, more educational workshops, policy meetings, over $100,000 in prizes and two nights of live music.

“Montana’s ranchers have had a busy year following work during the legislative session and changes in a dynamic cattle industry,” says MSGA President, Gene Curry from Valier. “Our 2015 Annual Convention will feature a large number of discussions and speakers on topics impacting our ranchers today.”

Robert O'NeillNavy SEAL and Butte native, Robert O’Neill will be the featured speaker during Friday’s Northern Ag Network Lunch. O’Neill, one of the most highly decorated combat veterans of our time, will share a riveting and inspiring message drawn on more than 400 combat missions overseas.

Ranchers will learn more about our global food chain and protein needs around the world as Grady Bishop of Elanco Animal Health highlights Opening General Session on Friday morning. Bishop, Senior Director of North American Market Access for Elanco, brings a deep appreciation for the roles technology and modern agriculture play in feeding the world. His presentation will help ranchers gain insight from his exposure first-hand to a broad spectrum of food insecurity.

A broad range of educational workshops will be offered during the Stockgrowers College. Speakers will touch on topics of vaccination programs, calf health and nutrition, weaned calf management, antibiotic use and Veterinary Feed Directives, risk management and estate planning.

Grady Bishop ElancoEach night of Annual Convention will feature viewing of the NFR on the big screens. Thursday night will include the first ever NFR Calcutta at MSGA Annual Convention, benefiting the Stockgrowers’ Research & Education Endowment Foundation. Friday night will feature live music from Exit 53 and Saturday night will feature entertainment from Crazy Mountain Express.

Saturday night’s Grand Finale Banquet will be highlighted by the annual live auction for Cattle Directory Priority Page advertisements. Over $100,000 in prizes will be awarded including a Ford F-350 Super Duty pickup, John Deere Gator, Massey Ferguson tractor lease and a trip to San Diego, California for the 2016 Cattle Industry Convention.

Policy meetings will take place on Thursday and Friday of Annual Convention. Guest speakers will address a number of topics affecting Montana’s ranching communities during the past year and in months to come. A Trade Show with over 100 booth spaces will be open to the public each day- Thursday from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m.

A full meeting agenda, hotel information, details of policy meeting discussions and Stockgrowers College workshops is available on our Annual Convention event page. Online and discounted registration closes Monday, November 23. On-site registration will be available. For more information, contact the Montana Stockgrowers Association at (406) 442-3420.

October 8, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Registration Open for 2016 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show

san diego cicDENVER – Registration and housing for the 2016 Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Trade Show is now open. The 118th Annual Convention will be held in San Diego, Calif., Jan. 27-29, 2016. Advanced registration is open until Jan. 4, 2016. Convention participants will hear from industry leaders, gather insight on industry trends, enjoy an evening of stars and stripes on the USS Midway and this year’s Cowboy Concert Series will feature Martina McBride. NCBA President Philip Ellis said this convention is a must for everyone involved in the cattle industry.

“The Cattle Industry Convention is the oldest and largest, national convention in the cattle business,” Ellis said. “We look forward to another great meeting in an outstanding location. Once again, NCBA will have one of the largest trade shows in agriculture, with 350 companies exhibiting on nearly 6 acres of show floor. Between the USO show on the USS Midway and Martina McBride, our entertainment will be outstanding.”

In addition to access to all of the 2016 convention events, registrants for the full convention will receive a 50 percent off coupon for Roper and Stetson apparel and footwear at the NCBA Trade Show. To register and secure housing for the 2016 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show, visit www.beefusa.org or e-mail [email protected].

Follow us on Facebook and join the conversation on Twitter at #beefmeet

October 5, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Young Ag Leaders Tour Billings Area Businesses

Montana Young Ag Leadership Conference Farm Tour OrigenMembers of several Montana agricultural organizations met in Billings this past weekend for the 2015 Young Ag Leadership Conference this past weekend. The annual meeting offers a variety of workshops, discussion groups and guest speakers to young farmers and ranchers who want to learn more about their respective industries. This year’s meeting had approximately 175 young agriculturalists attend from all corners of the state.

Trailhead Spirits Billings Montana Young Ag LeadershipThe conference kicked off on Friday afternoon with a tour of three area businesses from different sectors of agriculture. Participants visited Trailhead Spirits in downtown Billings, where they learned about the distilling process from local business owner, Casey McGowan. Trailhead’s primary grain source for its products is McGowan’s family farm in the Highwood area of North Central Montana, making the distillery’s products truly Montana Made.

Montana Origen Jared MurninNext stop on the tour was Origen, a Breeder to Breeder Genetics Service located in Huntley. Origen offers a number of genetics services to livestock owners in the region, including bull stud, semen collection, handling, shipping and storage, as well as embryo harvesting and in vitro fertilization. General Manager, Jared Murnin, and Origen staff walked tour participants through each step of their processes and explained how their services provide area ranchers with tools to improve genetics in their cattle herds.

Montana Sugar Beet Young Ag Leadership ConferneceThe final stop on Friday’s YALC tour featured Diamond X Farms, also near Huntley. Tour participants learned about growing sugar beet crops in southern Montana and much of the work involved in the process. The farmers explained how beneficial biotechnology has been to their business by increasing yields and reducing the number of inputs required to grow the crop in the region.

The Young Ag Leadership Conference continued with workshops and speakers on Saturday and Sunday at the Crowne Plaza, with a dinner and live music event with local food trucks at ZooMontana.

A special Thank You to Montana agriculture organizations and businesses who sponsored the event. To learn more, contact your local agriculture organization and look for details of the 2016 Young Ag Leadership Conference, which will take place in October.

View photos from the 2015 Young Ag Leadership Conference by visiting the Montana Stockgrowers Association Facebook page.

October 2, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Room Blocks Open for 2015 Annual Convention

The 131st Montana Stockgrowers Annual Convention & Trade Show is moving dates and location for 2015, to make for the largest ranching industry convention in the state! All meetings, meals and events with this year’s Annual Convention will take place in Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark in Billings, December 3-5. Tickets may be purchased online at mtbeef.org beginning October 1.

Hotel rooms are available at a discounted rate and should be booked soon.

  • Northern Hotel (Host Hotel) – $124+tax. Make reservations by calling (406) 867-6767 and reference ‘Montana Stockgrowers Association’. Room block expires November 1.
  • Crowne Plaza – $109+tax. Make reservations by calling (800) 588-7666 and reference ‘Montana Stockgrowers Association’. Room block expires November 19, 2015.
  • Boothill Inn & Suites – $99+tax. Make reservations by calling (406) 245-2000 and reference ‘Montana Stockgrowers Association’. Room block expires November 7.
  • Dude Rancher Lodge – $69+tax. Make reservations by calling (406) 259-5561 and reference ‘Montana Stockgrowers Association’. Room block expires November 19.

This year’s event will include a large number of Cattlemen’s College workshops, policy meetings, and guest speakers. Convention wraps up on Saturday with the annual Grand Finale Dinner, featuring the live Cattle Directory Priority Page Auction and live music.

A tentative agenda, registration and sponsorship information is available on the Events page of mtbeef.org. Trade Show booths are filling fast. Contact Katie Stokes to reserve your spot at [email protected] or (406) 442-3420.

September 10, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Preview of Culinary Extravaganza at Young Ag Leadership Conference

YALC Young Ag Leadership Conference MontanaThe 2015 Young Ag Leadership Conference is less than a month away! If you have not registered, be sure to do so (Click Here!) and reserve your rooms for a great rate at the Crowne Plaza in Billings before September 18. More details are on our event page.

We have a great line up of speakers, workshops and discussion groups this year that covers a wide range of topics for Montana’s farming and ranching communities. Everyone ages 18-40 is welcome and encouraged to attend.

YALC will kick off Friday afternoon, October 2, with an industry tour including stops at a local field-to-tap distillery, a visit at a local bull stud and semen collection facility, and wrapping up with an opportunity to experience sugar beet harvest at a local farm. Seats for the tour are limited, so be sure to submit your registration early!

Friday night will feature a Culinary Extravaganza! To learn more about this interactive beef dinner, we caught up with Chaley Harney of the Montana Beef Council with a few questions about the event and what the Beef Checkoff is doing in Montana.

Click here to listen to the podcast.

September 9, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Cattle Crawl – Progressive Beef Dinner in Billings, October 11

PowerPoint PresentationExperience a night of culinary fusion, Montana style! Meet local chefs and local beef producers as they bring you their latest creations during a walking tour of three premiere downtown Billings restaurants. Registration is open for the 2015 Cattle Crawl, taking place in downtown Billings on Sunday, October 11, beginning at 5:00 p.m.

The Cattle Crawl is an opportunity to acquaint urban consumers with area ranchers to feature beef in a creative way. The tour kicks off at Uberbrew for an opportunity for diners to enjoy beef appetizers at one of the area’s most popular gastropubs and breweries. The dinner tour then continues with stops at The Rex Restaurant and TEN at The Northern.

The annual Cattle Crawl is made possible by Montana beef producers and their Checkoff dollars. Proceeds benefit leadership and education programs for young ranchers involved with the Montana Stockgrowers Association.

Tickets are $65 per person and include food, drinks and a commemorative Montana Cattle Crawl pint glass. Tickets must be purchased by October 1. This event is limited to 30 participants, so be sure to register early to attend this fun evening of beef dishes and fun in downtown Billings.

Click here to register today.

September 4, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Internship Opportunities Available for the Cattle Industry Convention

National Cattlemens Beef USA logoDENVER – Applications are now being accepted for the 2016 Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Trade Show internships. If you are a college junior or above and are interested in being a part of the cattle industry’s largest event you are encouraged to apply. Qualified applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA, a passion for the cattle and agricultural industry and the ability to travel to San Diego Jan. 25-30. NCBA President, Philip Ellis, said this internship is a great opportunity for college students to gain first-hand experience and network with leaders from every segment of the cattle and beef industry.

“Convention interns will benefit from a behind the scenes look at the cattle industry’s most prestigious event,” said Ellis. “The skills they are able to take from their experience and the contacts they make during this internship will last a lifetime.”

Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show interns are vital to the success of the event and a valued member of the team. Student interns will help many different NCBA staff members with a variety of meetings and events. Students should be prepared for a wide range of responsibilities from overseeing committee sign-in to working closely with the NCBA Political Action Committee and Cattlemen to Cattlemen television program.

“In addition to working with leaders in the cattle industry, the convention internship gives student the opportunity to meet and work with other young people from across the country,” said Ellis. “I would strongly recommend anyone who is interested to apply for this one-of-a-kind opportunity.”

Applications for the Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show internship are due by Oct. 1. For more information and to apply click here or go to www.BeefUSA.org and click on careers. Apply today and get ready to Set Sail for San Diego.

September 2, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Highlights from the 2015 T-Bone Classic Gala Dinner & Golf Tournament

Hole in One prize provided by Montana Ford Stores

Hole in One prize provided by Montana Ford Stores

Ranchers and leaders from Montana’s business communities had a great time at Big Sky last week for the 2015 T-Bone Classic. The event included a gala dinner and golf tournament, Calcutta auction and a day of great golf on the Big Sky Golf Course with great views below Lone Peak.

The event benefits Montana Stockgrowers’ Research & Education Endowment Foundation and provides an opportunity for networking among leaders of Montana’s leading businesses and industries. With 28 teams participating in the tournament, nearly filling the Big Sky course, this year’s event was the most successful to date.

The top placing teams in this year’s golf tournament included Wasson Ranch, Green Mountain Angus Ranch and Wortman Construction.

Chef Tony was excited to meet the rancher behind the night's beef!

Chef Tony was excited to meet the rancher behind the night’s beef!

Thursday night’s gala dinner, sponsored by BNSF and CHS, Inc., featured specialty cut T-Bone Steaks from cattle raised by Fred Wacker’s Cross Four Ranch in Miles City and provided by Open Prairie Natural Angus Beef.

A Calcutta auction raised $14,700 with a payout of 35:20:10 to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams, respectively. The remaining dollars go to support MSGA’s Foundation programs in the areas of youth, education and leadership in Montana’s ranching communities.

Friday morning kicked off with a Welcome Brunch, featuring a great spread sponsored by Wipfli-Galusha, Higgins and Galusha. Teams then teed off for a shotgun start and played all 18 holes at the Big Sky Golf Course. An awards reception, sponsored by MSU Alumni Foundation, concluded the day’s events, recognizing individual hole and tournament winners.

Montana Stockgrowers’ Research and Education Endowment Foundation wants to thank all sponsors and teams who showed up in support of this year’s T-Bone Classic. Pencil in the date for the 2016 T-Bone Classic, August 25 & 26 in Big Sky! To reserve your team’s spot in next year’s tournament, fill out the form provided below or click here to open the form in a new window.

2015 T-Bone Classic tournament winners - Wasson Ranch

2015 T-Bone Classic tournament winners – Wasson Ranch

To view photos of this year’s T-Bone Classic events and golf teams, visit the Montana Stockgrowers Association Facebook page.

Teams participating in the golf tournament included: 3C Cattle Co, American Angus Association, Anderson Zurmeuhlen, Big Muddy Bancorp, Inc., BNSF, Boehringer Ingelheim, Cross 4 Ranch, Ehlke Herefords, Erickson Financial Strategies, First West Insurance, Frontline Ag Solutions, Grande Ranch Co., Green Mountain Angus Ranch, Independence Bank, IX Ranch Co., Jones/Haughian, LaSalle Ranch, Lund Law/Yellowstone Cellars, Montana Land Reliance, MSGA Board of Directors, MSU Extension, Northwest Farm Credit Services, Open Prairie Natural Angus, TransCanada Corporation, Waddell & Reed, Wasson Ranch, WIPFLI LLP, Wortman Construction.

Individual hole winners received cash prizes in the tournament and included:

  • Long Putt at Hole 1 – Don Rehm, Cross Four Ranch
  • Long Drive at Hole 2 – Mike Kellam, LaSalle Ranch
  • Closest to Pin at Hole 3 – Gary Adams, Waddell & Reed
  • Closest in Two at Hole 4 – Tim Todd, Green Mountain Angus Ranch
  • Long Drive at Hole 5 – Jane’a Ehlke, Ehlke Herefords
  • Long Drive at Hole 6 – Mike Kellam, LaSalle Ranch
  • Closest in Two at Hole 7 – Mike Kellam, LaSalle Ranch
  • Hole in One at Hole 8 – No winner
  • Long Putt at Hole 9 – Nate Baltrusch, Independence Bank
  • Long Putt at Hole 10 – Jack Holden, MSGA Board of Directors
  • Long Drive at Hole 11 – Ben Erikson, Erickson Financial Strategies
  • Closest in Two at Hole 12 – Lance Wasson, Wasson Ranch
  • Closest to Pin at Hole 13 – Jeremy Wortman, Wortman Construction
  • Closest in Two at Hole 14 – Don Ravellette, Green Mountain Angus Ranch
  • Long Drive at Hole 15 – Barry Barker, Grande Ranch Company
  • Closest in Two at Hole 16 – Jeff Bader, MSU Extension
  • Closest to Pin at Hole 17 – Roxanne Berg, American Angus Association
  • Long Putt at Hole 18 – Lee Daniels, Waddell & Reed

August 27, 2015 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Montana Stockgrowers Seeks Nominations for Ranching Woman of the Year

Bev Fryer Ranching Woman of the YearThe Montana Stockgrowers Association is seeking nominations for the 2015 Montana Ranching Woman of the Year. The annual award is presented to an MSGA member who has made great contributions to the Montana ranching community and has gone above and beyond to support their family and friends. Nominations are due October 31 and the recipient will be recognized at MSGA’s annual convention in Billings, December 3-5.

“Women are often the backbone of Montana’s ranching communities. These women often go above and beyond to support their immediate family members and pitch in whenever the need arises in their communities,” said Gene Curry, MSGA President from Valier. “We look forward to recognizing these accomplished women each year at our annual convention and thanking them for their hard work.”

Last year’s recipient of the Ranching Woman of the Year was Bev Fryer, who ranches with her husband, Ed, near White Sulfur Springs. Alongside raising a family, the Fryers raise cattle at the Castle Mountain Ranch, where Bev takes charge of training horses and calving more than 300 heifers each spring. Bev is active in area youth and CattleWomen’s activities, ranch rodeos, and guides hunters looking for elk each year.

Past recipients of the award include Glenna Stucky of Avon, Floydena Garrison of Glen, Helen Hougen of Melstone, Marian Hanson of Ashland, Carol Mosher of Augusta and Donna Sitz-Arthun of Billings.

Nomination letters submitted by family or close friends should identify a ranching woman, who is a member of Montana Stockgrowers, describe her role on the ranch, and the characteristics that set her apart when supporting the family and ranch, as well as describe her involvement in community efforts. Biographies should include the ranching woman’s hometown, family members, and number of years involved in ranching activities.

Along with the nomination biography, submissions should include photos depicting the ranching woman’s family, ranch and community involvement.

Nominations should be submitted to the Montana Stockgrowers office by October 31, 2015 via mail (420 N. California, Helena, MT  59601) or email ([email protected]). For more information contact the MSGA office at (406) 442-3420 or visit mtbeef.org/ranching-woman.